Some interesting bicycle finds / arrivals around the shop/garage these past few weeks

Hello and Welcome,
For some unknown reason the "Bicycle Gods" have smiled down on me these past few weeks with the arrival of some very interesting bikes. I found this Specialized Rock-Hopper FS (Below) parked out in front of one of my "usual stops" late last week.
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Above: This is pretty much the condition in which I found this Rock-Hopper FS. At the time this pic was taken all I had done was given it a good cleaning. The asking price was $79.00 cash. I was able to close the deal at 65.00 cash . That is a little more than I would typically pay for a used bike. But this is not the typical used bike I normally run across. I have already started to make a few changes but I will save that for a latter post.

Above: I am very fortunate to have acquired this bike from my friend Rick who spotted it at a garage sale. This Fuji is almost identical to one I restored back in the spring of 2009. The finished bike was voted "10 Speed of the Month" on the Old Ten Speed Gallery. The Fuji Gran Tourer SE now resides in the Old Ten Speed Hall of Fame. I feel blessed to get a another chance to restore one of these beauties.

Above: Rick also found this GT Avalanche at the same garage sale. If your thinking I`m lucky to have friends like Rick, Your right! I am. The GT Triple-Triangle frame is legendary for it`s strength and durability. This GT also has a Rock-Shock front suspension fork. The fork is tight and smooth and no doubt has a lot of life left in it. The rear wheel is badly bent and is most likely beyond saving. And the paint is rough with some rust spots where scratches and chips were not touched-up. And the saddle is a mess, as are the grips and all the cables. But "none the less" even with the miss-matched tires, this is a legendary design, and well worth saving. I think the "Zebra Camo" paint scheme should really help to hide the paint touch-up.

Above: I purchased this Giant along with another bike from a young Lady who purchased the step-through Brittany 12 speed. She purchased the Brittany for her mum. Is that a sweet girl or what? I also purchased a Mixte frame bike from her as well. I am considering using the wheel-set on the GT and then using the crank and possibly the derailleurs on the Giant Attraction. Then I can build something out of all the left-over parts. Although it may make more sense to keep the Giant Attraction "all giant" and upgrade the wheel set on the Attraction instead.

Above: The Head-Badge on the Mixte. The Golden-Sports Zebrakenko head-badge has got to be one of the coolest I have seen in a while. I did not really need another Mixte project.(three in waiting now) But how could I resist that head-badge. Zebrakenco is all one word, and is a Japanese company. That is pretty much all I know about them.

Above: Drive-side view of the Golden Sports Zebrakenko. The color reminds me of my brother`s original Raleigh Competition. He no longer owns it. It was the bike that really got me hooked on Raleigh road bikes. I am probably swayed by my English heritage. But if I have a favorite old bicycle company it`s Raleigh.

Above: The men`s 1984 3 speed Brittany (untouched) parked behind the restored ladies 1986 Brittany 12 speed. The tires and grips just arrived last night for the 3 Speed Brittany. It is going to be too hot here "for me" to do anything the next few days. But I should have no problem finishing it Sunday.

Above: Elvis on what appears to be a Sturmey Archer Equipped 3 speed. The shifter looks to be Sturmey Archer. The fenders look vintage British to me. The piping on the seat-tube looks like it could be Raleigh. At first I thought I saw a slanted banner on the head-badge. Now I think it might just be the brake-cable shadow. Could it be a Columbia? What do you think?
John Lennon once said, "Before Elvis, There was nothing"
Until Next Time,RIDE SAFE and Remember to always RESCUE,RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers, Hugh